US Marines to get new PERMS

Last February in Afghanistan, Marines used an Excalibur round to kill a Taliban insurgent team in a record-setting artillery strike. This week the United States Marine Corps announced an update to this guided munition: a new, highly lethal round to support combat operations.

The Precision Extended Range Munition -- or PERM, like the hairstyle but far more lethal -- will be blasted from towers against adversaries in the field.

This week the U.S. Marine Corps signed a contract with Raytheon to build this weapon, which strikes distant targets that cannot be seen from the aiming position. Such “precision indirect fire” allows the Marine Corps to remain unseen or concealed from the enemy while still effectively striking targets.

1. I'm not sure what they need this for.

What are the operational and tactical requirements that make the Marines think they need this weapon system? It seems like existing weapons could engage targets at this range more effectively and efficiently.

6. The "we might need it someday" reason.

I'm sure every Battalion infantry commander would like organic nukes at his disposal, as well. Engaging targets at over 20 miles away is not an infantry mission. Let the artillery perform the artillery mission and the infantry do theirs. I have no doubt that as soon as these 120mm rounds are perfected that a development and procurement program will be needed for 81mm mortar rounds, and once those have entered the inventory, Raytheon will find compelling needs to equip light infantry 60mm mortar squads with them, too. The money going to this program would be far better spent in repair and replenishment of existing equipment, which is being badly neglected.

7. It is an artillery mission

This gets accurate fire on the designated coordinates without the requirement for ranging fire and observers, on the ground or in the air. This has been sought for quite some time. As the costs reduce, it could well spread. Look at the cost drop for LGBs.

8. It's mission creep.

And stop repeating the observer explanation to me. I'm an ex 13E/11C, I know how the artillery works, and I think the money would be better spent elsewhere. I wonder how many generals Raytheon is keeping occupied with this program. Do you have any expert knowledge on that?